Headlight



0. WINSTON.

HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED DEc.2.1915. RENEWED DEC. 12,1919.

1.184.520. I ,Patented .IuIIy 13, 119m.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fig/5 UNITED STATES, PATENT 'orrlcl-vz.

Omron wms'ro, or marcus, manson.

nmmmenr.

i Specieation of Letters Patent. l Patented July 13, 1920 Application Yileil lleeember 8, 1915, Serial Io. `64,661. Renewed, December 12, 1919. Serial No. 344,464.

To all whom It-may concern:

Be it known that L'Ovnn'roN Wms'roN, a citizen of the United States residing at Minneapolis, in the county of ennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Headlights; andl do hereby declare the-following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as'will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to electric headlights or/ 'automobiles and other vehicles, and .isin the nature of an improve,- ment on, or modification of, mechanism dis-- closed and claimed in my co-pending appli cation Serial Number 50,296, filed Septem-v ber 13th, 1915, and entitled Head lights. Particularly, the invention is directed to improved means for shifting the light bulb or partly inside elevation but with some parts light source in respect to the reflector, or conversely, certain vof which adjustments are' for properly setting the lamp filament in re spect to the focal center of the reflector, and

certain other of which movements or adjust-- ments are for the purposes of throwing the light bulb to and from the axis or -focal center of the reiector, when different lighting conditions are required. For example, in country travel, powerful light beams of long projectionare desirable, while for city travel, if the light be not dimmed, it must be projected onto the road more closely in front of the machine, and there must beno upwardly projected blinding rays. My inventio provides simple and elicient means for accomplishing adjustments for the pui'- pose above noted, and it further provides for various adjustments, suchas axial lateral and rotary adjustments of the light bulb in respect' to the reflector. Such adjustments are required to effect proper initial setting of the lamp in respect to the reflector, and thereafter making changes which may be desirable to offset changed conditions, such as warping of the lamp filament.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the' invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l 's a vertical section taken through an automobile headlight designed in accordance with my invention; A w

Fig. 2 is a section taken approximately on the irregular line ar :c2 of F 1g. 1;

Y ig. 3 is a' fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line w3 :n.3 of Fig. 1;

F 1g. 4 1s a v transverse section taken ap# proxlma-tely en the line m4 of Fig. 3;

f Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line asesor Fig. 1g

Fig. 6, is ia detail'in section on the line w e? 0f Fig-1i F 1g. -7 a detail showing the lamp socket structure in'sideelevation and a portion of the reflector inlvertical section;

Fig. 8, except in the reflector, shows the same parts that are shown in Fig. 7, partly in side elevation, but chiefly invertica-l sec# lon.;

F 1g. .9 1s a rear elevation of the parts shown 1n F 1g. 8, some portions being broken away; Y

Flg. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view biles, and the numerals 2 and 3 indicate, re-

spectively, the reflector and the lens or glass plate o f theheadlight'. The electric light ulb 4. 1llustrated is of the well known Ediswan slngle base type, but, of course, other types of electric light bulb may be employed. As shown, however, the said bulb has an outer contact sleeve 5 and an axial contact boss 6. The sleeve 5 is adaptedvto be telescoped into a lamp holding collar 7 that is swlveled in the end of a lamp socket made up of a pair of telescoping cylindrical shells 8 and 9. Preferably, the collar 7 is provided with an eccentric fiange 10 that is seated in thev iiang'ed front end of the shell 9 with the axis of the said collar, and hence,

. of the lamp bulb eccentric to the axis of the socket or lamp support made up ofthe said Y members 8 and 9. In the modified form, however, shown in Fig. 13, the collar 7'has a concentric lange 10a, which, while it adapts the said collar for rotation on its axis, always holds the light bulb with its axis concentric tothe axis of the socket.

bulb against accidental rotation in respect to the said collar.

A nut 13 in the form of a cylindrical hub, is swiveled to the rear end of the outer shell 8, but held against axial movements in respect thereto. This nut 13 engages the threaded stein 14: of a cylindrical Contact holder 15 which is of well known construction and is rigidly secured by friction, or

other suitable means, in the inner shell 9, with its spring-pressed contact 16 engaged with the contact boss 6 of the light bulb.

The outer shell 8 of the light bulb socket or lamp support (see particularly'Figs. 1, 3 and 4t) is pivotally mounted at its front end on the conical points of the pivot screws 17. Thus, the lamp socket is mounted for vertical oscillatory movements, but is held against horizontal oscillations and against rotation on its own axis. The inner shell 9 is provided with a projecting guide lug 18 that works in a longitudinal groove 20 of the outer shell 8 and thereby holds theV said inner shell against rotation, but free for telescopic axial movements in respect to the said outer casing 8.

The manner in which the swivel'connection between the nut 13 and shell 8 is made is best illustrated in Fig. 10, by reference to which it will be noted that the nut, at its extreme inner end, has an outstanding flange 13a preferably serrated on one face for engagement with the flanged rear end of the outer shell 8; and furthermore, the said nut has diametrically opposite pins 13b that engage the outer surface of the flanged end ofthe said shell 8. The serrated or roughened surface of the flange 13a gives additional friction between the nut and "shell 8 and assists in preventing accidental rotation of said nut, under vibrations produced in travel and otherwise. As is evident, axial movements of the inner shell 9, in respect to the outer shelll 8 are produced by rotation of the nut 13. It is desirable that' this may be readily done without open-` ing the lamp casing; and hence, I provide in the back of the casing 1, asocket adjusting tool in thev form of an outwardly springi pressed screw driver, the said term screw driver being used in a broad sense to include any tool for operating ascrew or similar adjusting mechanism. The said screw driver 21 is mounted to slide endwise and to rotate inthe bearing 22 secured to the back of the casing 1, and, as shown, having a detachable cap 23. Normally, a spring 24 retracts the screw driver and holds .the same in an inoperative position. ll'heu the screw driver is forced forward, it is adapted to engage with radialgrooves or notches 25 formed in the rear end of the adjusting nut 13, so that when the said screw is then rotated, the nut may be rotated and the inner shell 9, together with the light bulb, moved axially of 'the refiector.

The reector 2, in the vicinity of its axis, has an opening through which the lamp socket projects with sufficient clearance to allow for considerable vertical oscillations of the said socket. Surrounding the axial opening and rigidly secured to the back of the reflector is a flaring annular flange 26 (see particularly Figs. 1 and a). Set into this tapered flange 26 is a tapered annular rim of a hollow bearing head 2'( that is detachably but rigidly clamped to the said flange 26 b v a divided clamping ring 28, the ends of which are clamped together by short nut-equipped bolts 29, best shown in Fig. 4. Diametrically opposite the upper and lower solenoids 30 are secured to the top and bottom of the head 27, and'guide rings .31, preferably of brass, are secured the top and bottom of the upper and lower solenoids with their axial passages alined with the axial passages of the said solenoids and with vertical perforations formed in the top and bottom plates of the head 27. Mounted to reciprocate vertically through the alined passages lof the said head, solenoids and guide rings,` is a so-called fulcrum har or plunger 32 that serves as armature cores and is formed at its center with an annular ful- Crum 33, the rounded inner edge of which bears against the exterior of the outer shell 8 of the lamp socket. Light U-shaped springs 34 applied to the ring 33 engage the shell 8 on opposite sides of the said ring, and tend to hold the lamp socket in a position with its axis at a right angle to the plane of the said ring 33. The fulcrum bar or plunger 32 is made of iron, and hence, will be acted upon by the energized solenoids and thrown either upward or downward, according to which of the solenoids is energized. For example, the full lines in Fig. 1 show the position of the fulcrum bar lamp socket and light bulb, when the upper solenoid is energized, at which time the lilaoutside of the said casing with knurled or corrugated heads 38, by means of which they may be readil turned. Spring fingers between the fingers 39 and corrugations ,of

the heads 38, does not interfere with vertical reciprocating movements of the fulcrum bar 32. The numeral 41 indicates caps shown as detachably applied to the ends of the hubs 40.

For engagement with annular grooves 42 in the latch heads 35, spring-pressed latch bolts 43 are mounted for radial movements in the guide rings 31. As shown, the grooves 42 are made-'approximately V-shaped` and the ends of the latch-bolts 43 are beveled or conical, so that the force exerted by the solenoids 30 will be sufiicient to overcome the engagement between the said 'members and move the fulcrum bar 32 from one position to another. 1 The 'said latches, however, prevent accidental movements of the fulcrum bar and serve' as stops to limit the oscillatory movements of the lamp socket, and hence, of the lamp bulb. Of course, by adjustments of the 4latch sleeves 35, the extreme movements of the fulcrum bar, and hence, of the lampsocket and light bulb may be varied, and this, it is important to note, may be accomplished from the exterior of the lamp casing.

In Fig. 4, the flanged end of the bearing head 2T, the supporting flange 2G and the clamping ring 28 are shown as provided I with nested seats and alining lugs at 44,

which insuresetting of the lamp socket with the axis of its pivot 1T horizontal, and hence, with the lamp socket and bulb mounted for true vertical movements when the fulci-um bar 32 is shifted.

Then the new bulb is inserted into the socket, adjustments will be required to bring the hot portion of the fil-ament to the focal center of the reflector. To do this, the eccentric 10 should be turned by application of the fingers to the collar 7, until the axisn of the said collar is moved to the highestl point, tofwit, in a vertical line over the axis of the lamp socket.v Then by adjustments of the lower latch head 35, the fulcrum bar 32 ma)v be lowered 'or raised, carrying with it the rear portion of the lamp socket and thereby moving the hot portion of the light filament to the axis of the reflector. This being done, by the above described manipulation of the screw driver 2l,y the lamp socket and bulb may be adjusted axially so as to bring the hot portion of the filament to that point on the axis of the reflector known as the focal center of the reflector. This adjustment of the light bulb is that which gives the greatest light projection or longest light beam, and is, of course, desirable for country road travel. i

For city driving, and especially where ordinances require dimming of lights, the light bulb is moved above the axis of the reflector; and this is accomplished in the present instance by energizing the lower solenoid 30, which draws down the fulci'um bar 32 and the rear portion of the lamp socket and carries the bulb upward, for example, to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l. The exact position in which fthe -light bulb will be set in this upward movement may be varied by adjustments of the upper latch head 35.V As is evident, the downward movement of, the fulcrum bar 32 and resulting upward movements of the light bulb will be-stopped when the groove 42 of the said upper latch head is engaged by the upper latch bolt 43. Tn practice, it has been found that the filaments of the electric light bulbs will warp from usage so that they require readjustment to maintain the above noteddesired adjustments, and especially, the adjustment of the filame'nt to the focal center of the reflector. These filaments are liable to warp in a good many different ways. If warped so that they are bodily offset at one side vof the axis of the reflector, correction may be made by turning the eccentric 10 in the one direction or the other. soas to bring the filament back to a vertical line intersecting lthe focal center.

Under some conditions, it is also necessary to rotate the bulb within the collar 7 in order to bring the filament back to proper adjustment. If the rotary adjustments of the eccentric in order to bring the filament laterally back to the vertical line of the focal center, has the effect of raising or lowering the filament perceptibly, such vertical disalinement may be corrected by the proper adjustment of the lower latch head 35. Ob-` viously, the above described various adjustments make it possible to correct all sorts of inaccuracies in the initial position of a light bulb in respect to a reflector. To rotate the bulb on its axis, without moving the eccentric 10, the collar 7 should be held hv the fingers against rotation.

lVhat I claim is:

l. In a headlight, the combination with a reflector and a lamp, one of said members being movable axially in respect to the other, one of said members being movable transversely of the axis Vof said reflector, and the said lamp being rotatably adjustable on its axis, independently ofsaid other adjust-` ments and without changing its adjustment longitudinally of its axis.

2. Tn a headlight, the combination with a reector, of a lamp mounted for ilovements on the axis of said reflector, l'and for movements transversely of the axis of said llt) reflector and for rotary movements on its axis, independently of said other adjustments and without changing its adjustment longitudinally of its axis.

3. lin a headlight, the combination with a reflector and a casing, of a lamp support `having a lamp holder mounted to rot-ate on its own axis without shifting the saine longitudinally of its axis, and means operative from the exterior of said casing for imparting adjustments to the said lamp holders, both axially-and transversely of the axis of said reiiector. y

4. lln a headlight, the combination with a reflector, of a lamp support therein, mounted for independent longitudinal and vertical adjustments, said support having a concentric holding collar rotatively adjustable without changing its longitudinal position in said support, and an electric light bulb mounted for rotary adjustments within said collar.

5. ln a headlight, the combination with a reflector, of a lamp support therein, mounted for independent longitudinal and vertical adjustments, said support having -a concentric holding ,collar rotatively adjustable without changing its longitudinal position in said holder, and an electric light bulb mounted for rotary adjustments within said collar, and means locking said bulb to said collar in its various rotary adjustments.

6. lin a headlight, the combination with a reflector, of a lamp supporting socket, a fulcrum for saidisocket fixed in respect to said reiector, the said socket being axially adjustable on said fulcrum, whereby` an elec.- tric light bulb held by said socket may be adjusted toward and from said fulcrum, said socket having a 4rotatively adjustable eccentric holding collar, and an electric light bulb` rotatively adjustable in said collar.

i'. The combination with a reflector, of a lamp socket comprising an outer shell, an inner shell adjustable axially within said outer shell, and an eccentric collar swiveled in the end of said inner shell and adjustable axially therewith. 1

8. The combination with a reflector, :olfa lamp socket comprising a non-rotary shell and a lamp holding collar` rotatively mounted therein, and an electric light bulb rotatively adjustable within said collar, the said collar and bulb being rotatively adjustable together, or either being rotatively adjustable independently ot the other.

aaiaaao a casing and a reflector therefor, of a lamp socket in said casing extended axially of said reilector and provided with an axially adjustable bulb supporting element, and a yieldingly retracted adjusting device in the form of a screw driver detachably engageable with the rear end of the adjustable element of said socket, to4 adjust the same and the light bulb axially ofthe reflector.

11.- In a headlight, the combination with a casing and a reiiector therefor, of a lamp support within said casing extended axially of said reector and provided with an axially adjustable lamp holder, an adjusting device working in the back of said cas-A ing and detachably engageable with said axial adjustment of said lamp holder, and

means for oscillating said support in respect to the axis of said reflector.

12. lin a headlight, the combination with a reiector and a lamp support, one ofrwhich members is capable of oscillatory movement, f

of a casing inclosing said members, a plunger movable to oscillate the said oscillatory member, latches for limiting the movements of said plunger and\holding the same in extremepositions, and adjusting devices for said latches extending to and operative from the exterior of said casing.

13. In a headlight, the combination with a casing and a reflector therefor, of a lamp support in said casing extended axially of said reflector and having an oscillatory movement in respect thereto, a- `plunger-like armature movable vwithin said casing for oscillating said support, electro-magnets for reciprocating said armature, and latches for limiting the movements oflsaid armature and holding the same in extreme positions, said latches having adjusting devices extended to and operative from the exterior of said casing.

lln testimony whereof ll aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OVERTON WINSTON. Witnesses:

JF. D. "MERCHANT, HARRY D. KILGORE. 

